Plummer Wandless & Co. Bears – Teddy Bear, History, Information

by Johnnie

Plummer Wandless & Co. was formed by Daphne Plummer and her husband John in 1944 after she took apart a toy rabbit to see how it was made. She began making bears for a little extra money and was quite successful. After her husband got out of the Army after World War II, he saw the potential in making bears and quit his job in the furniture trade. Along with his friend Dudley Wandless, they started their business in 1946. They were producing around 24 different designs within 10 years. The teddy bears were made from John’s designs using pastel dyed sheepskin with a silky gloss. The first toys were hand stitched but later they used machines. By 1967, they were producing around 70,000 bears. The business was sold in 1971 after Daphne died.

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